The sport of golf is one of the most popular of all, and golf is played around the world, especially in the United States, Japan, and its native Scotland. Ever since the Scottish developed this sport nearly 500 years ago, it has captured the imagination of many, right up to the present day. Now, golf courses can be found around the world, even in deserts (these courses are heavily irrigated), and more people than ever are taking up this fine sport. And like any other athlete, golfers need a chance to practice their game, and they can visit local golf courses to do just that. In some cases, though, a golfer may live too far from the nearest course to visit except for tournaments, or bad weather like hail or thunderstorms might cancel a practice session. For these situations and more, golfers can in fact build golf simulators in their own home. A high definition golf simulator can recreate the game to a fine degree, and the top golf simulators may offer many features to track the golfer’s movements. Who plays golf today? As in, who might want to build golf simulators?
Golfers Today
Many Americans are taking up this sport. Back in 2015, for example, some 2.2 million people started playing golf, and it could be said that there really is no “typical” golfer. While this sport is largely associated with older men, and not entirely without reason, golfers today are a diverse group, showing the broad appeal of the game. Many Millennials, those born from 1982-1995, are eagerly taking up the sport, joining their parents’ older generation out there on golf courses across the United States. Golfers under the age of 35 or so represent a rapidly growing percentage of golfers. On top of that, many women are taking up golf as well, and while they may be a minority among pro golfers, they have established a firm presence in the golf scene. Overall, it could be said that golf has a diverse and thriving community that is in good hands. This also means that many different people are going out to practice golf, and many different Americans may want to build golf simulators, too.
Build The Golf Simulators
A golf simulator will be built right there in a golfer’s home, and they will first need to decide where to put it. A room will need adequate space for the golfer to swing their clubs and allow the balls to fly around, so a closet may be a poor choice. Instead, the golfer may empty out an unused dining room or bedroom, or even set up the simulator in the basement (provided that basement is clean and well lit). Now that the room is chosen, the hardware can be set up.
A golf simulator can use a flat screen TV to display the images, but some golfers might instead make use of a digital projector. A projector will cast its images on the wall, so there is no TV screen to break with flying balls. Either option works, but some golfers may have a preference. Either way, a laptop or PC will be needed to run the program itself, and this computer will connect to a TV or projector with a cable. The computer may be there in the room, or in a next door room if the cable can reach.
Aside from the computer aspect, a golf simulator will also need a patch of false turf where the golfer will tee off. What is more, safety nets should be set up on either side of the simulator so that struck balls will not impact other items in the room. These nets also make it easier to retrieve struck balls. All together, a golf simulator can simulate all sorts of golf courses on the screen or projection display, and many simulators will track the balls’ movements and estimate how they would move on a real field. Data such as wind speed, ball speed and arcs of movement, and more may be shown on the screen for reference. A simulator is a convenient way to practice swinging or putting with new clubs, and this gives a golfer ample time to practice before the next big game.
